President's Corner: August 22, 2026
Posted on: Aug 22, 2026
As I write this, our third Otipemisiwak Métis Government Citizens’ Gathering is underway at Slave Lake. It feels so good to be surrounded by Citizens from every corner of Alberta.
This year marks the 98th year our people have come together as a Métis government, and the third since you elected the first Otipemisiwak Métis Government. 98 years of gathering, of speaking up for our rights, and of refusing to let anyone else decide our future for us. That is worth pausing to celebrate.
Yesterday, we heard from teams across our government. Every one of those updates, in its own way, was about the same thing. Building the Métis Nation within Alberta to stand on our own feet, look after our own, and take our rightful place at every table where decisions about our future are being made.
This year has been a full one. Fifteen District Councils are now fully operational, with more on the way. The Métis Education Foundation is now a $40 million dollar investment in our people—supporting Métis scholars today while building stronger communities and opportunities for generations to come. Kahsketakihk, our council of Elders and Knowledge Keepers, is taking shape. And through our Kitchen Party Tour, we brought our government to 13 communities across the province, with music, dancing, and hours of real conversation with the Citizens whose lives we are here to serve.
Our work with governments has continued at every level. Federally, we are pushing forward on our Self-Government Recognition and Implementation Agreement and on the modern-day Treaty it commits us to. Provincially, we are holding Alberta to the commitments made in our framework agreement, and pressing for a real seat at the table on the major projects being planned in this province.
A gathering like this is a reminder of who we are governing for. To every Citizen who is here in person, and to every Citizen following along from home, thank you. This is your Métis government. And after 98 years, we are still here. Still gathering. Still building. Still proud. And just getting started.
President Andrea Sandmaier
Otipemisiwak Métis Government